Facility at Gillmoss replaces the previous rundown building off Edge Lane in Old Swan, which was in an extremely poor condition and will eventually include a café, has onsite parking and improved welfare facilities

Liverpool’s new 80,000 sq ft fruit, veg and flower market has been officially opened in North Liverpool.

The new facility at Gillmoss replaces the previous rundown building off Edge Lane in Old Swan, which was in an extremely poor condition and will eventually include a café, has onsite parking and improved welfare facilities.

It is the latest phase of a significant investment programme in markets which has already seen a new Great Homer Street – ‘Greatie’ – in Everton, and a £2.5m refurbishment of St Johns Market in the city centre.

Lord Mayor, Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, officially opened the market and said it was “much-needed”. He added: “It is great news for the traders who have been waiting a long time for the creation of an attractive new development with modern facilities.”

The new market is close to other developments including the £12m Geopost DPD parcel facility which has created 250 jobs, and the building of new industrial units by St Modwen.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Ann O’Byrne, said: “This move has been vital to giving the market a future – their previous home was over 50 years old and the new conditions are a world apart.

“The workers are unsung heroes whose work is done while many of us are sleeping and we were determined to make sure they found a new site so it didn’t just wither on the vine.”

The cost of borrowing for the build of the new market is being paid for through rental income from the relocated market traders and the fruit, vegetable and flower market’s former site is to be redeveloped as a new home for a Merseyside Police patrol hub.